RFIs: The Simple Guide to Writing a Request for Information Large corporations and government agencies don't shop around for the best contractors and freelancers the same way a SaaS company or a small business might. Rather than relying on word of mouth, a quick Google search, or a Facebook ad, these organizations follow a procurement process that ensures fair business practices and quality results. As a preliminary step in the procurement process, an RFI gives a company or organization the information it needs to move forward with an RFP and RFQ. But what exactly is an RFI and what does this acronym stand for? RFIs are important because they reduce blind spots and empower your team to make better decisions. With more information at your disposal, you can understand the marketplace and get a better sense of the questions you'll need to ask as you move forward in the procurement process.   How does an RFI work? Step 1: The buyer develops the RFI. RFIs are written documents with the goal of collecting information from sellers. This information can be used to help buyers make a purchasing decision. The questions that are included in an RFI are specific and straightforward so that the sellers understand what the buyer is asking for. Sellers can find an RFI on the company's website, in databases like Procore, and government web pages like grants.gov. Step 2: Sellers draft responses to the RFI. Once a seller finds an RFI, they have a window...

The Ultimate Guide to RFPs Have you been tasked with the job of creating a request for proposal, or an RFP? Whether you have no idea what that is or haven’t written one in awhile, today’s guide can help. We’re diving into the specifics of what an RFP actually is, why you might need one, and how to create your very first one today. To start, you should understand what all these letters even mean.   When your company has a new (often large) project, or one that’s more complex and requires a bit of outsourcing, an RFP can help you get the job done right the first time. The RFP doc becomes a way for you to quickly uncover the strengths and weaknesses of potential vendors in relation to your project without having to spend too much of your time hunting for them yourself. RFPs can also give you a sneak peek into different strategies you may not have considered since each vendor will include their own unique action plan along with their bid. And you’ll have this information before you ever have to commit to the vendor. Keep in mind, this should not be confused with an RFQ. RFP vs. RFQ An RFQ, or request for quotation, is slightly different than an RFP since it’s just the quote itself. Here, companies solicit multiple price quotes from various vendors to compare services based on price alone. While an RFP includes a price quote (along...

RFQ vs. RFP: What’s the Difference? Have you ever shopped for something online, compared prices, and read reviews until you knew you were making the right decision? That's similar to what businesses do when they need to purchase something as well, except it's a slightly more formal process. In the business world, the process includes having vendors or companies submit RFPs (request for proposal) or RFQs (request for quote) so you can compare their products and services. These documents help businesses decide which vendor they want to buy from. It's similar to when we, as consumers, shop online and look at prices and reviews to compare, say, new phones. Below, we'll discuss everything you need to know about RFQs -- from what they are, to how to write one, to how it's different from an RFP. In an RFQ, you'll find a vendor's costs, payment terms, and product specs or details. Most businesses use an RFQ when they know exactly what they're looking for, the budget they want to spend, and are ready to make a purchase. If you know what type of features you want to see, you plan to choose a vendor based on price, and you don't need a service plan or supported contract, an RFQ might be right for you. When you have a bunch of RFQs, you can properly evaluate all the solutions based on price, quickly. Now, what's the difference between an RFQ and an RFP? While an RFP gives more detailed...

How to Write a Request for Proposal with Template and Sample Whether you’re working for a small agency or a major marketing firm, you’re probably eventually going to need to fill out a Request for Proposal, or RFP. Your company can’t do everything internally, and when your business needs to purchase a product or service from elsewhere, you might need to shop around. An RFP allows you to collect offers from various vendors and select the vendor that best meets your criteria, both in regards to skill and budget. Any time you outsource work to a supplier, there's a potential for issues such as miscommunication around the scope of the work and the compensation. What a good RFP does is eliminate gray area so that both parties understand what needs to be delivered, when, and for how much. RFP Template Here, we’ve provided an RFP template you can follow for initial structure, as well as a sample RFP for further inspiration. But it isn’t one-size-fits-all -- you’ll need to tailor your RFP to best articulate your company’s needs. Download this Template for Free RFPs come in all shapes, sizes, and visual formats depending on the needs of your company and the work that must be performed. At the top of a standard RFP, you'll find the following: Project Name or Description Company Name Address City, State, Zip Code Procurement Contact Person Telephone Number of PCP Email Address of PCP Fax Number The body of the RFP will...